Sec.17b-411-1. Definitions

As used in sections 17b-411-1 to 17b-411-14, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies:

(1) “Applicant” has the same meaning as provided in section 17b-400 of the Connecticut General Statutes;

(2) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Department on Aging or of any other state agency responsible for hosting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office;

(3) “Complaint” means an oral or written statement made to or initiated by the program, by or on behalf of a resident or applicant alleging or tending to allege circumstances, conduct, action, lack of action, instances or decisions by or relating to providers, public agencies, health and social service agencies or others that adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or rights of a long-term care facility resident;

(4) “Conflict of interest” means circumstances in which other interests intrude upon, interfere with or threaten to negate the ability of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to advocate without compromise on behalf of long-term care facility residents;

(5) “Department” means the state Department on Aging;

(6) “Executive Board” means the Executive Board of the Statewide Coalition of Presidents of Resident Councils established pursuant to section 17b-411-7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(7) “Host agency” means the Department on Aging or any other state agency that statutorily houses the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman;

(8) “Long-term care facility” has the same meaning as provided in section 17b-400 of the Connecticut General Statutes;

(9) “Office” has the same meaning as provided in section 17b-400 of the Connecticut General Statutes;

(10) “Program” has the same meaning as provided in section 17b-400 of the Connecticut General Statutes, unless the context otherwise requires;

(11) “Provider” means an entity or person who provides goods or services to residents, and includes those who own, operate or work for long-term care facilities and their agents, employees, representatives and contractors;

(12) “Resident” has the same meaning as provided in section 17b-400 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and includes a person who seeks admission to a long-term care facility;

(13) “Regional Ombudsman” means a person duly designated by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to represent and act on behalf of the program in regions established throughout Connecticut;

(14) “State Long-Term Care Ombudsman” or “State Ombudsman” means the individual appointed by the commissioner; and

(15) “Volunteer Resident Advocate” or “VRA” means any person duly designated by the State Ombudsman and trained by the program to serve as an advocate for residents through the VRA’s association with, and on behalf of, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.

(Effective April 3, 2013)